The Hastings Plowing Match and Farm Show is returning this year from August 19th-20th.
The Plowing Match and Farm Show is eastern Ontario’s largest annual outdoor agricultural event. It features competitive horse and tractor ploughing, a vendor trade show, antique machinery displays, and the Queen of Furrow competition.
The August 19th match and show will run from 9am-5pm and August 20th will be 9am-4pm.
This year, the event will be hosted by the Denyes family at Denhaven Farms in Belleville.
According to Brian Dracup, President of the Plowing Match Committee, this event “would not be possible without the volunteers and vendors,” as they help make everything run.
“Beginning in 1989, there were only about a half dozen volunteers,” he says. The event is still completely volunteer-run, though there are more than double the amount of volunteers lending a hand to the match from when it began.
There are also over 100 vendors participating this year. Vendors include tractor and truck dealerships, independent home-based businesses, food vendors, quilting, and crafts, as well as the County Farm Centre. There is a children’s tent for more family fun.
Whether you are interested in staking day, the plow field, marketing, entertainment, or the children’s tent, the plow match and farm show could always use support. There are many opportunities to help continue the legacy of this community event, and you can start by leaving a message on the @hc_plowingmatch_farmshow social media pages for interest in volunteering.
“You can’t put it into words what it means,” says Brian Dracup, who is proud to be a part of the match and witness his “whole family involved.” “[My children] will be taking over someday.”
The plowing match is an “event that everyone can enjoy” and is expecting more than 8,000 visitors across the two days. It is an integral part of the community and shares the importance of agriculture across generations, so be sure to show your support and enjoy the family fun.
Admission for adults is $8 while children 12 and under can attend for free. Free parking will also be available.
